C4 Sport: Licensed to Win
The C4 Citroën Sport shows the shape of things to come at the French company and its recent unveiling is timely with a Citroen as the reigning World Rally Champion, and two consecutive wins in the first two rounds of the 2004 WRC season in Monte Carlo and Sweden.
In developing the C4 Citroën Sport, which is a concept car, the designers were not constrained by the limitations of sporting regulations and could thus adopt a bold stylistic philosophy that offers a futuristic vision of post-Xsara WRC competition cars. It’s regarded as a ground-breaking project with a strong personality, an eloquent expression of vitality and vigour in the guise of a rally car.
The front end of the C4 Citroën Sport is one of its most distinctive features, structured around the twin chrome chevrons that proudly identify the brand. The curved bonnet, punctuated by incisive ridges, gives the impression of pent-up power.
The front headlights extend to both the bonnet and the side panels, blending into the profile of the wheel arches. The distinctive front lights make a significant contribution to the car’s personality, expressing energy, drive and determination.
The internal structure of the headlights reflects the high level of technology, and their shape exhibits both the power and the elegance of the vehicle. The boomerang shaping of the headlights gives the C4 Citroën Sport an intense, determined look.
The shape of the front lights also enhances the fluid lines of the car, encouraging admirers to follow the continuous movement from the front end of the vehicle towards the wings in unbroken motion.
The car’s personality comes from its shape, which combines the flowing lines of the roof panels and quarter lights with the sharp angles of the rear window. The aerial view of the C4 Citroën Sport highlights its dynamic character and illustrates its innovative styling.
The roof extends right to the rear of the car, giving the car a particularly lithe profile and indicating excellent aerodynamic performance. The lines of the roof combine with the shape of the quarter window to suggest strong acceleration and heighten the perception of vitality. The length of the roof and the sudden vertical drop at the rear appear to shift the passenger compartment backwards, giving the C4 Citroën Sport a compact, stable but sporty appearance. The impression of energy is further enhanced by the very short rear overhang.
All the energy conveyed by the C4 Citroën Sport is visible in the rear three-quarter view. The highly distinctive sudden drop of the roof at the rear creates an impression of power. And the flow of the roof arches, accentuated by the shape of the rear windows, enhances the car’s flowing lines.
The passenger compartment is exceptionally bright and airy, thanks to a totally transparent rear roof section that merges with the hatch window. The roof arches make the car appear wide around the waistline, creating an impression of stability. Needless to say, that highly aerodynamic, centrally-positioned wing is styled strictly for racing!
The passenger compartment is clearly designed for competition use but still offers a few refined additions for greater style and comfort. The usual composite materials have been embellished with leather fittings worthy of the most prestigious GT vehicles. The two-tone red and black leather upholstery is stamped with the insignia of the C4 Citroën Sport while leather-covered door panels, bucket seats and steering wheel provide a dimension that reaches far beyond the realms of motor sports.
DIMENSIONS:
Length : 4286 mm
Width : 1790 mm
Wheelbase : 2600 mm
Height : 1400 mm
 |
